New Beginnings, Chapter 29
 
 

Eve is sitting up in bed. She's making a list of all the things that she has to do. She's going through some more mail. Grace had just delivered tea when the doorbell rang. Eve is sipping her tea when there is a knock on her bedroom door. She looks up and..

" Julian! Would you mind telling me what the HELL is going on?"

" Eve, I tried to get in touch with you."

" That's bullshit, Julian! How could you proclaim to the WORLD that Chad is your son AND NOT TELL ME?!"

" I didn't have time. I KNOW I should have told you, but, time was of the essence."

" Why?"

" Because, Alistair had found out that I had found out about what happened with Chad. The only way to protect him.."

" Was to expose him."

Julian nodded. " Don't you see? There aren't many things that scare my father. Adverse publicity is one of them. It upsets the financial markets, and we can't have that."

" No, we can't have that.", Eve said sarcastically.

" Look, I tried to get in touch with you, but you had already left for California. Then, I couldn't get to your room. Someone had blocked all calls, and I couldn't exactly leave my name at the front desk."

" No. I know you couldn't. It's TRUE, Julian? He's our son? How?"

Julian sat at the edge of Eve's bed. " Well, we have Sheridan to thank."

" Sheridan?"

" Yes. Your friend, Mr. Perkins, he made a last confession to Sheridan before he died. He confessed that Alistair had hired him to kill our child, and that he couldn't do it and switched babies at the last minute."

Eve shook her head. " Orville? Orville was my friend? How could he do it?"

" Money, I guess. That's Alistair's best weapon. "

" You sure it was Orville?"

" Absolutely. I have the tape. I'll give you a copy that you can keep. I've made others."

" Insurance."

" Exactly. Anything happens to Chad, and that tape goes not only to law enforcement, but, also to the tabloids. Since Sheridan gave me the tape, I did a little digging of my own, into past Crane records, and I've documented the trail between Orville and Alistair, to authenticate the story. I believe this is enough to neutralize Alistair for now."

" Julian, you've never stood up to Alistair before. How can I be sure that when the going gets tough, you won't throw our son to the wolves?"

" I deserve that, Eve. I know I do. I can't tell you anything, other than I won't abandon our son, and I've taken steps to protecting mine and Sheridan's fortunes, placing them out of father's reach. It's not as large as the Crane billions, but, I'll never know the word poor a day in my life."

" And, Alistair, is just going to 'let' you acknowledge Chad with no repercussions."

Julian laughed. " I didn't say that. I know he's plotting. It keeps me up at night what he could be plotting, but, hurting Chad isn't going to be part of it. He can't afford the bad publicity, plus the possible legal troubles. "

" How…how is Chad dealing with all of this? You know he's moved out."

" Yes. I just came from seeing him at Pilar's house. He's fine. He's a strong young man."

" How did he react when you told him?"

" He was very angry with me. He cursed me out, and told me off. Told me he would have nothing to do with me, and that I had nothing that he wanted.  It didn't go well."

" But…", Eve asked, sensing that there was more.

" But, I had left a letter with him. Telling him how much I wanted to be his father, how proud I was that he was my son, hoping that he would give me a chance. I explained to him what happened between us, and how much you loved him."

" You told him I was his mother?"

" No. I told him that when the time was right, I would make sure that he met his mother, and that you two would take it from there. I told him that even if he didn't want a relationship with me, that he should have one with you."

" Thank you, Julian.", Eve said quietly.

" I also left him copies of the DNA tests proving paternity, as well as legal documents which state that I was his father, and that I acknowledge paternity of him."

" But, Julian…I had done a DNA test on Chad..what happened?"

" Faked…by Alistair." Eve nods in understanding.

" Was it your suggestion that he move out of my house? I don't want him gone!"

Julian shook his head. " No. That was his idea. He knew how TC felt about him, and didn't want to make it awkward for him."

" The idea that I had my son RIGHT HERE, and now..now that I know he's my son, he's gone." Eve cried quietly.

Julian went to Eve and held him. " Eve, it's ok. I sort of think Pilar's is the best place for him now. It's like Switzerland - neutral territory. Surrounded by people who have always liked him."

Eve nodded. " That's true. Miguel was the first person Chad met in town. And, he's been friends with Theresa practically from the first night. Pilar is a good person."

" The only question mark for me was Luis, knowing how he feels about the Cranes, but Sheridan assured me that Luis wouldn't be any trouble, and I trust my sister."

Eve looked at Julian. " Something's changed between you and Sheridan, hasn't it?"

Julian smiles at Eve. " It has. For the first time, since she was a little girl, I can honestly say we are siblings. I would NEVER have been able to do all of this, without her support. As bad as I've treated her over the years, she's been wonderful. I know I don't deserve it."

" Julian, Sheridan has a good heart. She's always wanted a family. You told me that when we were together."

" It's true. All she ever wanted was my and my father's love. Why couldn't I give it to her, Eve? Why was I that blind?"

" You were being led by Alistair. Having that devil on your back would kill anything."

" Well, Sheridan has been terrific.  And, I won't let her down. Just like I won't let Chad down. What….what are you going to do, Eve? How are we going to handle this?"

" Julian, I think you should know something. I'm pregnant."

" Pregnant?"

" Yep. "

" Oh."

" And, it's a high-risk pregnancy."

" Oh no."

" But, I want Chad to know about me as soon as possible."

" Eve, are you sure? I can't think this would be good for the baby."

" Don't worry about my baby. I'll take care of my baby."

" Eve, do you know what you're doing? Once this comes out, all hell is literally going to break loose. On top of what TC might do to me."

" Julian, I'm giving you fair warning, which means you should be able to leave town for a bit. By the time you get back, everything will have been decided. TC and the girls will know, and they will make their own decisions. Julian, we have our SON back. Do you think ANYTHING in the world means more to me than that?"

Julian wiped the tear away from Eve's cheek. " No, Eve. No more tears. You don't need to shed one more tear for our son. He's alive, healthy, and a fine young man. I know how much we missed of his life. But, from this day forward, we will be a part of his life. I even got him to agree to have lunch with Sheridan and I once a week."

Eve smiled. " You did?"

" I think I caught him in a weak moment. But, it won't be that hard for you, Eve. Oh, I don't doubt that TC and your girls are going to flip. But, Chad…I think he'll be delighted. Overjoyed to find out that his mother is you. I definitely know that he's receptive and open to a relationship with you."

" Julian, this is so overwhelming. For so many years.."

" I know. But, you can't dwell on that. If you think about the birthdays, the Christmases the Mother's Days missed, and how he grew up, it's enough to put bile in your throat. But, no more focusing on the negative. It's time for the positive, and that is that Chad Harris is a young man that anyone would want to call son. " Julian took out a picture of Chad to show Eve.

" Where did you get this?"

" One of the security people took it. I think he's quite handsome, isn't he? Chip off the old block?"

Eve laughed. " He IS handsome, but, Julian, get over yourself. " Eve looked at the picture a bit harder and drew her hand over it. " He has your eyes.", she said quietly.

" I thought so, but, I didn't want to reach.", Julian replied, emotion filled his voice. " But, I think his smile is yours. I know his soul is."

" He's for real, isn't he, Julian? No doubts?"

" None. I ran many tests. I had them pull your original DNA sample, and the tests are conclusive: he is OUR son."

" Thank you, Julian. Thank you for keeping him safe. Now that I've spoken with you, I know you won't abandon him. I have faith in you."

Julian looked into Eve's eyes and felt himself choke up. " You have no idea what your faith means to me."

Venturing into territory that made her uncomfortable, Eve cleared her throat and spoke up. " Julian, I don't know how long TC will be gone. When I'm up, we'll talk again. "

Julian nods and leaves the room. Eve is looking at the picture when Grace comes into the bedroom.

" Everything OK, Eve?"

" Grace, can you get Chad over here? Can you get my son to come and see me?"